Families
Privately owned minibuses used for family travel and days out.
UK & European minibus cover Minibus Breakdown Cover
Minibus Breakdown Cover
24/7 help for your minibus and everyone on board
Annual breakdown cover for privately used minibuses. If your minibus breaks down, a recovery operator comes out day or night and tries to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, your minibus and your passengers are recovered according to your cover level.
- 24-hour breakdown line
- Passengers recovered too
- Four cover levels
24/7Breakdown line, 365 days
Since 2013FCA Appointed Representative
24/7breakdown line,
365 days
365 days
In short
Minibus breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to your minibus when it breaks down, 24 hours a day. The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, your minibus and passengers are recovered up to 10 miles (Local Cover UK) or to your home or a chosen UK destination (National, Full UK and European). It isn't a legal requirement, it's separate from your minibus insurance, and it doesn't cover minibuses used for hire.
Key facts
Minibus breakdown cover at a glance
- Breakdown line
- 24/7 03333 449 247
- Cover levels
- Local, National, Full UK, EuropeanChoose the level you need
- Where
- UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands*, plus EuropeIncluding Northern Ireland
- Passengers
- Recovered with the minibusBased on your cover level
- Callouts
- Up to 6 per vehicle per yearClaims up to £15,000 a year
- Home Assist
- Full UK and European CoverAt or within 1 mile of home
- Payment
- Annual14-day cooling-off
- Not for
- Rental, hire or private hire useCheck before you buy
Who it's for
Who is minibus breakdown cover for?
A minibus usually has 9 to 16 passenger seats, so when one breaks down a whole group is stranded. Our minibus breakdown cover is for minibuses used privately, where passengers don't pay to travel.
Schools
Trips and fixtures where pupils travel without paying a fare.
Sports clubs
Getting the team to an away game and home again.
Churches & faith groups
Transport for members and youth groups at no charge.
Charities & care providers
Outings for the people you support, where they don't pay to travel.
Businesses
Moving your own staff between sites or to events.
Choose your level
Minibus breakdown cover levels
Each level includes everything in the one before it. Your policy schedule confirms the level you've bought.
Local Cover UK
For short local journeys.
- Roadside assistance when you break down more than 1 mile from home
- Up to 60 minutes spent on a roadside repair
- Local recovery of the minibus and passengers up to 10 miles
For trips & fixtures
National Cover UK
For longer UK journeys.
- Everything in Local Cover UK
- Nationwide Recovery to your home or one preferred UK destination
Full UK Cover
For minibuses kept at home between trips.
- Everything in National Cover UK
- Home Assist at or within 1 mile of your home, for example a flat battery after the school holidays
European Cover
For trips abroad.
- Breakdown help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days
- Pre-Departure Cover up to £500 in the 7 days before a booked trip
- Repatriation if the minibus can't be repaired in time
This is a summary. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply to every level. Please read the documents below before you buy.
Policy summary
What does minibus breakdown cover include?
The main benefits, limits and exclusions, taken from the policy wording. Your policy documents always take priority.
What's covered
- Roadside assistance and recoveryA roadside repair attempt, then recovery of the minibus and passengers based on your cover level.
- Alternative travelUp to £250, plus up to £150 for one person to collect the repaired minibus.
- Overnight accommodationUp to £150 for a lone traveller or £75 per person, up to £500 per incident.
- Trailer or caravanRecovered with your minibus at no extra cost if it uses a 50mm tow ball and is no longer than 7m (23ft).
- Keys lost, broken or locked inCallout and mileage only. Locksmith and replacement key costs aren't covered.
- Driver illness or injuryHelp arranging an alternative driver.
- Home Assist and EuropeHome Assist with Full UK and European Cover. European benefits with European Cover.
Group travel limits: alternative travel and accommodation apply only if you break down more than 20 miles from home, the minibus can't be repaired the same working day, and it's repaired at the nearest suitable garage. The limits are for the whole group, not per passenger, so with a full minibus they may not cover everyone. Get costs authorised first and keep receipts.
What's not covered
- Rental, hire and private hire useAlso courier services and motor racing.
- Earlier breakdowns and existing faultsIncluding any claim in the first 24 hours after buying.
- Parts and garage repairsOnly roadside labour is included.
- Theft, fire or vandalismClaim for these on your minibus insurance.
- Poorly maintained or unroadworthy minibusesIncluding overloaded, untaxed or uninsured minibuses, no valid MOT, or no usable spare wheel and jack.
- Breakdowns at homeAt or within 1 mile of home, unless you have Full UK or European Cover.
6 calloutsMaximum per vehicle in each period of insurance
£15,000Maximum total claims in each period of insurance
One recoveryAt the time of the first callout, to one address only
European Cover
Minibus breakdown cover in Europe
Taking a group abroad? European Cover adds help in Europe for trips of up to 90 days. From abroad, call 0044 1206 714813 .
- Pre-Departure Cover: up to £500 if the minibus breaks down in the 7 days before a booked trip. It doesn't apply in the first 10 days after you buy, or to a fault found at an MOT or service in the 10 days before you leave.
- Roadside assistance abroad , with spare parts sent out if needed (you pay for the parts).
- Repatriation of your minibus if it can't be repaired within 48 hours or by your planned return date.
- Alternative transport up to £500, plus £200 for two people to collect the repaired minibus.
- Accommodation up to £150 per person for one night, up to £1,000 per incident.
- Private motorway towing refunded up to £150.
How it works
What to do if your minibus breaks down
Get everyone to safety
Pull over as far left as you can and switch on your hazard lights. Where it's safe, move passengers out through the kerb-side doors, behind the barrier on a motorway.
Call the breakdown line
Call 03333 449 247 with your policy number, registration, location and number of passengers. Deaf or hard of hearing? Text 07537 404890 .
Get costs authorised
Don't book your own recovery, coach or hotel. Costs we haven't authorised aren't covered.
Repair or recovery
The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix the minibus. If they can't, it's recovered based on your cover level.
Carrying a group changes how you handle a breakdown. If anyone is in danger, or you've stopped in a live lane, call 999 first.
Know the difference
Minibus breakdown cover vs minibus insurance
These two policies are often confused. Most minibus owners need both.
| Minibus breakdown cover | Minibus insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Roadside repair and recovery when the minibus breaks down | Accidents, theft, fire and claims from other people |
| Legal requirement? | ✕ No | ✓ Yes, to drive on public roads |
| Recovers passengers | ✓ Yes, based on cover level | Not usually |
| Covers theft, fire or vandalism | ✕ No | Depends on the policy |
| From Smart Cover | Get a quote | Read our guide to minibus insurance |
Expert guidance
Most common causes of minibus breakdowns
Minibuses work hard: heavy loads, short trips and long periods parked up between terms or events. The same few faults cause most callouts.
| Cause | Why minibuses are at risk |
|---|---|
| Flat battery | Long periods unused over holidays and weekends |
| Tyres & wheels | Heavy passenger loads, kerb strikes and under-inflation |
| DPF / diesel faults | Short, stop-start journeys stop the filter from regenerating |
| Clutch & gearbox | Several different drivers and loaded hill starts |
| Wrong fuel | Shared vehicles driven by different staff or volunteers |
| Cooling system | Full loads, towing and summer traffic |
Driver guide
Pre-trip minibus checklist
A quick walk-round check before every trip prevents many breakdowns, and some checks keep you inside your cover.
Check before every trip
- Tyre pressures and tread depth
- Usable spare wheel, jack and locking wheel nut key
- Oil, coolant and screenwash
- All lights and indicators
- Wipers and mirrors
- Seat belts in every seat
- Doors and emergency exits
- Dashboard warning lights
- Fuel type label by the filler cap
- MOT, tax and insurance in date
- Not over the weight limit
- 03333 449 247 saved in the phone
Tip: log every check and keep the minibus serviced on schedule. Breakdowns caused by poor maintenance aren't covered.
Who provides your cover
Who's behind Smart Cover minibus breakdown cover
Insurer
Underwritten by DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Company Limited (FRN 202106), authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Administrator
The breakdown service is provided and administered by Call Assist Ltd (FRN 304838), Axis Court, North Station Road, Colchester CO1 1UX.
Seller
Sold by Smart-Cover Direct Limited (FRN 600428), an Appointed Representative of City and Commercial Limited (FRN 314346), which is authorised and regulated by the FCA.
Complaints and protection
Contact Call Assist first. They'll acknowledge within 5 working days and reply within 20. If you're unhappy with the final response, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service within six months. The T&Cs state this policy is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Found the same cover cheaper? See our Price Match Promise (terms apply).
Other motor breakdown cover
Frequently asked questions
What is minibus breakdown cover?
Minibus breakdown cover is an annual insurance policy that sends a recovery operator to your minibus when it breaks down, 24 hours a day. The operator spends up to 60 minutes trying to fix it at the roadside. If it can't be fixed, the minibus and passengers are recovered according to your cover level: Local, National, Full UK or European.
Is minibus breakdown cover the same as minibus insurance?
No. Minibus insurance is the motor policy you need by law to drive on public roads, and it covers accidents, theft, fire and claims from other people. Minibus breakdown cover is a separate, optional policy for roadside help and recovery when the minibus breaks down. It doesn't cover theft, fire or vandalism.
Is breakdown cover a legal requirement for a minibus?
No. Breakdown cover isn't a legal requirement in the UK. It's optional, but a minibus breakdown can leave a whole group stranded, so many owners and organisations choose to have it.
Which cover level do I need?
Local Cover UK suits short local journeys: it includes roadside help more than 1 mile from home and local recovery up to 10 miles. National Cover UK adds recovery anywhere in the UK. Full UK Cover adds Home Assist at or within 1 mile of home. European Cover adds help in Europe and Pre-Departure Cover.
What happens if my minibus can't be fixed at the roadside?
With Local Cover UK, your minibus and passengers are taken up to 10 miles. With National, Full UK or European cover, they can be taken to your home or one preferred destination in the UK. Recovery must take place at the time of the first callout, to one address only.
Are my passengers covered?
Passengers are recovered with the minibus according to your cover level. If you break down more than 20 miles from home and the minibus can't be repaired the same working day, the policy pays up to £250 for alternative travel and up to £500 per incident for overnight accommodation. These are limits for the whole group, not per passenger, so for a full minibus they may not cover everyone.
Can I use this cover if my passengers pay to travel?
No. Minibuses used for rental, hire, private hire, courier services or motor racing are excluded. If passengers pay fares or a charge to travel, speak to us before you buy, because the minibus may count as used for hire.
Am I covered if the minibus breaks down at home?
Only with Full UK Cover or European Cover, which include Home Assist at or within 1 mile of your home address. Local and National cover only help when you break down more than 1 mile from home.
Does minibus breakdown cover work in Europe?
Yes, with European Cover. It includes roadside assistance abroad, repatriation of your minibus if it can't be repaired within 48 hours or by your return date, alternative transport up to £500, accommodation up to £150 per person per night (£1,000 per incident), and Pre-Departure Cover up to £500. Each trip can last up to 90 days.
Will you recover a trailer towed by my minibus?
Yes, a trailer or caravan is recovered with your minibus at no extra cost if it uses a standard 50mm tow ball and is no longer than 7 metres (23 feet). A breakdown of the trailer itself isn't covered.
What if someone puts the wrong fuel in the minibus?
Don't start the engine. Call the breakdown line for advice. The policy doesn't pay to drain or flush contaminated fuel, so that cost would be yours.
How many times can I call out?
Up to 6 callouts per vehicle in each period of insurance, with total claims up to £15,000. You can't claim in the first 24 hours after buying, and repeat callouts for the same or a related fault within 28 days aren't covered unless the fault has been properly repaired.
Can I pay monthly, and can I cancel?
Minibus breakdown cover is paid annually. You can cancel within 14 days of buying for a full refund if you haven't made a claim. After 14 days, no refund is given.
Don't let a breakdown strand your group
Choose Local, National, Full UK or European minibus breakdown cover in a few minutes. Please read the Terms & Conditions and IPID before you buy.
Questions about cover? Call customer service: 03333 449 559
